Just her cup of tea
Patricia Hutto explains the British history behind the Ploughcroft Tea Room
Marked by a waving British flag, the Ploughcroft Tea Room is quintessentially British in all things from décor to food, despite its location in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.
Owner and creator Patricia Hutto was born in Dover, England and moved to the U.S. after marrying an American man. She opened the Ploughcroft Tea Room six years ago.
Prior to living in Lynchburg, Hutto lived in the Virginia Beach area where she operated a tearoom for 14 years, accompanied by much success. According to Hutto, the larger British population in Virginia Beach made an ideal location for a tearoom. But once her husband retired, they moved to Lynchburg, making Hutto unsure if there was a big enough customer base for a new tearoom.
Spot of tea — The Ploughcroft Tea Room is owned and operated by British-born Patricia Hutto. Photo credit: Ellie Fraser
Hutto taught at Sweet Briar College for 10 years, and while there she hosted four English teas. Because of the event’s popularity, Hutto was forced to turn people away.
“I thought, ‘Hmm, maybe I could open a tearoom in Lynchburg,’ and it’s been amazing,” Hutto said.
When it comes to atmosphere at the tearoom, expect to find dainty teacups carefully placed on each table and a bookshelf complete with London guides and a silver Big Ben figurine.
“This is typically what you would see in an English tea room,” Hutto said. “I think that’s why it’s so successful. It’s not at all American.”
Hutto drew much of her inspiration for the tearoom from early life in England. She grew up at the Plough Inn, a building more than 300 years old, according to Hutto.
“My parents bought (the Plough Inn) and named it Ploughcroft,” Hutto said. “It’s still there, but my parents passed away and my sister and I sold it. I go visit it once in awhile. That’s how the name Ploughcroft Tea Room came about. I thought it was appropriate.”
Hutto thoughtfully designed each menu item and attributes that to part of the Ploughcroft Tea Room’s success.
“Every (menu item) is custom from me,” Hutto said. “The food is typically English. There is no American flavoring. It’s freshly made everyday. (At) lunch time we do homemade soups that are made fresh every morning. Chicken and mushroom pie is probably one of the favorite (menu items), and both of our chicken salads are popular.”
Because of the Ploughcroft Tea Room’s growing success, Hutto decided an expansion was needed.
“I’ve got almost 30 private parties booked between now and the end of June,” Hutto said. “I had to do something because (parties) were filling up the tearoom, and there was nowhere to put anybody. I was losing customers, really. People that just walked in and didn’t have a reservation were turned away.”
The expansion will feature a new room designated for group parties and special events, but an English atmosphere will continue throughout.
“The door that’s going in between (the two rooms) is actually the original door from this building,” Hutto said. “So we’re still keeping with the old stuff.”
Hutto is proud of the Ploughcroft Tea Room’s success and has enjoyed her best year of business so far.
“I was a little uncertain opening it in Lynchburg with not too many ‘Brits’ hanging around here,” Hutto said. “It’s just the idea that has caught on, and this is my best year so far.”
For anyone wishing to experience the Ploughcroft’s English charm and house-made food, Hutto advises making a reservation prior to visiting to ensure a seat. Reservations can be made by calling 434-832-7467.
For special event or menu information visit facebook.com/PloughcroftTeaRoom or ploughcrofttearoom.com.
FRASER is a copy editor.